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Can one prevention programme fix all adolescent problem behaviours? |
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Research |
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This review of research concluded that different problems for young people, such as substance abuse and risky/underage sex, overlap and share common causes. Researchers highlight the benefits of prevention programmes which are appropriate for more than one problem behaviour. The most promising programmes appear to tackle multiple areas of risk and protective factors. They increase young people's resilience, promoting positive family influences and school environments which foster positive social and emotional development. As we have noted in previous articles, researchers point to the importance of timing, suggesting that early interventions may be more effective than delaying until full adolescence. Thanks to Mike Ashton for drawing our attention to this' review of reviews'.
Links:
An overview of prevention of multiple risk behaviour in adolescence and young adulthood - Findings
Preventing Adolescent Health-Risk Behaviors by Strengthening Protection During Childhood - JAMA Pediatrics
Interventions to prevent substance use and risky sexual behaviour in young people: a systematic review - Addiction
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How effective is the internet as a prevention tool? |
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Research |
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This Dutch study reviewed research on prevention delivered via the internet. Many surveys, such as the Europe-wide, 'Youth attitudes on drugs', show that young people frequently go to the internet for advice and information about drugs. This latest study does indeed identify some very promising practice. The internet is very easily and discreetly accessible by young people. Programmes may reach a very wide audience and are easy to update. The authors point out that the extent of reach and use of programmes is as least as important as effectiveness. It may be difficult to maintain a young person's interest in a programme, however, and off-line interventions may be more effective than those from the internet. The study also highlights the potential value of including professional support within interventions and incorporating on-line material into existing programmes, such as those running in schools. Mentor UK has successfully integrated on-line interventions into prevention work.
Links:
Is the Internet a good prevention tool? - Mentor UK
Online Prevention Aimed at Lifestyle Behaviors: A Systematic Review of Reviews - Journal of Medical Internet Research
Europe-wide report on youth attitudes to drugs - Prevention Hub
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Young marijuana smokers at risk of permanently damaging their brains |
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Research |
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Teens who smoke marijuana may permanently damage their brains and increase their risk of developing serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia, according to a new study. American researchers exposed young mice to very low doses of marijuana for 20 days. When fully grown, the mice exhibited impaired cognitive abilities and the neuron activities in the frontal part of their brains, the area most affected in schizophrenia, altered significantly. These changes did not occur when the experiment was repeated solely on adult mice. 'The striking finding is that, even though the mice were exposed to very low drug doses, and only for a brief period during adolescence, their brain abnormalities persisted into adulthood', said the study’s lead author, Sylvina Mullins Raver. Another interesting study we covered earlier this year found that young people at risk of schizophrenia can speed up onset of the condition by one year for every illicit drug they take.
Links:
Adolescent Cannabinoid Exposure Permanently Suppresses Cortical Oscillations in Adult Mice - Neuropsychopharmacology
Marijuana use by teens linked to permanent brain abnormalities later in life, increased schizophrenia risk: study - National Post
Dangers of multiple drug use in young people at risk of schizophrenia - Prevention Hub
Teenage users of marijuana more likely to develop schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms - Prevention Hub
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Stretch, breathe and relax - reducing impulsivity to combat youth substance use |
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Research |
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This new study suggests that a four-week stress-reduction programme can help teens gain better control of their impulsive behaviour. American researchers looked at two groups of teens. The first group of 524 teens went through a programme that included yoga-based breathing techniques and education about maintaining healthy bodies, minds and lifestyles. They were also taught strategies for handling challenging emotional and social situations, including peer pressure. The second group included 264 teens who did not participate in the programme. Study results showed that the programme participants felt less impulsive after the four weeks, compared with the teens who didn't participate. We have recently covered other stories stressing the importance of addressing personality traits such as impulsivity in youth substance use prevention.
Links:
Effects of the Youth Empowerment Seminar on Impulsive Behavior in Adolescents - Journal of Adolescent Health
Note to teens: Just breathe - University of California, Los Angeles
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Family violence linked with teen aggression and substance use |
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Research |
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This study finds that teens exposed to family violence can be more aggressive and have greater levels of substance abuse over time. American researchers looked at 1,200 middle school students and the effects family violence had on them including verbal and physical aggression between siblings. Based on a questionnaire conducted 3 times over 18 months, the researchers found bullying and fighting are linked to family violence and substance abuse in boys. Interestingly, girls exposed to family violence reported higher levels of substance abuse over time, which was not associated with bullying and fighting. As most studies tend to focus on family violence and its effects on parents' behaviour, 'it is imperative that researchers investigating the family context of bullying and substance abuse examine not only violence involving parents but also that involving siblings', according to lead researcher Dorothy Espelage.
Links:
Family Violence, Bullying, Fighting, and Substance Use Among Adolescents: A Longitudinal Mediational Model - Journal of Research on Adolescence
Study: Family violence can lead boys to aggression and to drug problems - Medical Express
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Study helps explain why smoking may lead to teen alcohol abuse |
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Research |
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The link between smoking and subsequent abuse of alcohol by adolescents has already been described, but this latest study examined how nicotine changes the brain's reward system. Experiments using rats found that even a single exposure to nicotine temporarily increased the brain's reward from alcohol. Dr. John Dani of the Baylor College of Medicine said, 'Young people typically experiment with nicotine from tobacco in their teens, and that exposure possibly contributes to a greater vulnerability to alcohol abuse later in life. Therefore, greater vigilance is called for to prevent the initial exposure to nicotine and to follow those at risk.'
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Young drinkers also likely to use marijuana within two hours |
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Statistics |
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The University of Maryland Center for Substance Abuse Research has highlighted close links between under age drinking and illicit drug use. According to data from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 20.1% of underage drinkers reported using at least one illicit drug within two hours of last using alcohol, compared to 4.9% of those aged 21 or older. (Drinking alcohol is illegal for those under 21 years in the USA.) Marijuana was by far the most commonly used substance at 19.2% for drinkers under 21 and 4.4% for older drinkers. Results are, of course, affected by specific US restrictions and cultural attitudes to drinking. The authors suggest the need to follow any changes in States where recreational marijuana is legalised.